Roof Garden “Pavilion” at the Met

This year’s site-specific rooftop installation is a graceful structure – curved steel and two-way mirrored glass – that is both transparent and also reflects visitors and the spectacular skyscrapers of Manhattan. The work, officially called “Hedge Two-Way Mirror Walkabout,” will be a crowd pleaser for a number of reasons.

Views of the “Pavilion”

First, the floor of the Met’s roof has been turned into a green, suburban “lawn,” via Astroturf that looks startling real, almost feels like grass and echoes the lush greenery of Central Park, below. It’s a cheerful reimagining of the space. Second, strolling through the curved concave and convex glass structure, set between walls of ivy, is fun. Not only do you get to see a svelte version of yourself and others, but dramatically distorted – heightened – views of surrounding and distant buildings. It’s almost like a personal kaleidoscope.

The piece, created by American artist Dan Graham, with landscape architect Günther Vogt, draws on formal 18th century gardens and their ornamental structures as inspiration. Yet through Graham’s use of modern forms and materials, it appears utterly sleek and sophisticated.

Triangular Solid with Circular Cut Outs

Double Exposure

In the Museum’s Modern and Contemporary art galleries on the second floor, related pieces by Dan Graham — photographs as well as structures — are on view, and worth seeing.